Wisconsin Humane Society 2013 Award Recipients Announced
Caroline Krider and Jodi Habush Sinykin to receive animal welfare awards

MILWAUKEE – The Wisconsin Humane Society (WHS) has announced that it will be recognizing Caroline Krider and Jodi Habush Sinykin for their contributions to animal welfare during its annual 2012 Paws & Claws Gala on Saturday, September 22 at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.

Volunteer of the Year: Caroline Krider

Krider, Senior Vice President, National Corporate Banking at U.S. Bank in Milwaukee, is being honored as the “Volunteer of the Year” for her twelve years of volunteer service as a “rabbit socializer” at the WHS Milwaukee Campus. Krider is one of 1,200 volunteers at the society, where “socializing” means holding, petting, training and playing with the animals to get them used to human contact and, ultimately, ready for adoption. She also passes down her compassion for animals by mentoring teens during her volunteer shifts, and by training new volunteers interested in working with rabbits.

Krider also serves in leadership positions on the boards of the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (and will co-chair the 2013 Zoo Ball), the American Lung Association of WI, and IMPACT/2-1-1.“Caroline already has a demanding schedule,” commented WHS Executive Director Anne Reed, “but she always manages to find time to socialize the animals – especially the rabbits – at the shelter. Her compassion for animals runs so deep that she volunteers her time even though she has asthma and is allergic to cats and rabbits! We couldn’t be more grateful to Caroline for her incredible volunteer service and support.”

The George D. Dalton Award: Jodi Habush Sinykin

Habush Sinykin, an attorney specializing in environmental law and public policy development, is receiving the George D. Dalton Award for her contributions to animal welfare in Wisconsin.  Habush Sinykin worked closely with the Wisconsin Humane Society and other organizations in 2008-2009 to address the growing puppy mill problem in Wisconsin.  Her leadership and tireless advocacy helped lead to the passage of Act 90—the long-awaited Wisconsin law enacted to regulate and eliminate inhumane practices and unhealthy conditions of puppy mills and other sub-standard dog breeding facilities through establishment of a license and inspection program.

“Jodi was instrumental in getting the puppy mill bill passed in Wisconsin,” said Reed. “Then, this past summer, she was the driving impetus behind the lawsuit directed against Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources challenging the state-sanctioned use of dogs to hunt wolves without appropriate restrictions.   We are lucky to have Jodi’s continued support on behalf of voiceless animals who need our help.”

Both Krider and Sinykin will be honored at the Paws & Claws Gala, which benefits the Wisconsin Humane Society’s Milwaukee and Ozaukee Campuses. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the gala will include animal greeters, dinner, unique silent and live auction items and award presentations.The program will also feature the Safe Haven program, an initiative by WHS and the Sojourner Family Peace Center to provide temporary housing to animals from domestic abuse situations.

Admission tickets are $300/person and all proceeds help the Wisconsin Humane Society in its effort to save the lives of animals. For more information, visit www.wihumane.org. You can also call (414) 431-6121 to purchase tickets.

Please contact Allie Yoder at 414.431.6209 with any questions. For more information about the Wisconsin Humane Society, visit www.wihumane.org.